So, England have finally told us the truth - taking injuries into account, it has to be said - the minnows, Georgia, Figi, Japan, the US, Samoa, Canada and Tonga, have all provided great hope in their various styles and directions for the safe future of world rugby but the great question remains: who will challenge the All Blacks?

Ireland, Wales, Italy and Scotland have virtually cemented their positions as also-rans so it’s down to Argentina among the so-called second tier. And of the first tier South Africa didn’t show me that they have the overwhelming power nor the overall class to be completely credible yet. Australia looked powerful and incisive for a half and then allowed Wales back into the match and France, while waltzing to a cricket score in a match that was already won with the red card in the first quarter, well, it’s still hard to tell. Do they have the guts?

Sublime rugby was at a definite premium this past weekend although some of France’s tries, much of Georgia’s forward play - in a team apparently with 15 forwards! - and Australia’s flashes of intensity in midfield came close. Turnovers, turnovers and more turnovers, both worked and unintentional seemed to be the order of the day - it’s no wonder that coaches now look to turnovers to provide the scoring opportunities - and there were the usual shockers under the high ball.

Was it always like this? Maybe so. Maybe what we’re doing is putting these matches under the microscope looking for the tiny advantages that make the difference. Well, next week will answer a couple of the remaining questions. How good is France and how bad is Ireland? Is England going home early? Do Argentina have the weapons to destroy Namibia - a la Francaise? Time will tell.

In the interim let’s look at how our selection have fared:

Sébastien Chabal +1, +1
Brian Habana +3, +1
Frédéric Michalak 0, +3
Gordon Darcy +1, 0
Daniel Carter +1,+2
James Hook -2, +1
Victor Matfield+2, 0
Juan Martín Hernández +1, +2